Oxygen is historically entwined from its discovery with radical applications as a panacea by charlatans and by daring men constructing bridges using underwater caissons. Oxygen has made possible the exploration of the depths of the oceans beginning with hard-hat diving suits and extending to scuba gear, underwater habitats and submarines as well as space exploration. Molecular oxygen is critically involved in health and disease in more ways than any other element. It is essential for metabolism of food to nourish our bodies. Understanding its biological and chemical nature helps us to understand the effects of exercise, vitamins and supplements, and drugs used for cancer therapies. Oxygen, the Breath of Life is a comprehensive reference on the historical, biological, chemical and medical aspects of oxygen. Readers, both laymen and experts, will gain knowledge of the basics of oxygen chemistry, how it functions in the human body, the role of oxidants in the development of various diseases. Chapters contain historical notes which highlight the discoveries of pioneering researchers.

This handbook presents information on different cell culture assays which can be used to perform experimental analysis. Readers are introduced to the basics of in vitro cell cultures followed by a comparative analysis of different experimental protocols designed to detect cellular processes (such as apoptosis, protein-protein interactions, cytotoxicity, gene transfer). Chapters present information on the basics of specific experimental techniques as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the presented methods. Students and scholars who require an understanding of the basic fundamentals of cellular assays.

Free radicals and related reactive species, including reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) play a critical role in the pathophysiological processes of various human diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, neurological disorders, and cancer among many others. This peer-reviewed E-book covers both the fundamental principles and the recent advances in free radical biomedicine along with in-depth discussions of the clinical correlations. It also provides a thorough coverage of the commonly used methods in free radical and antioxidant research with detailed schematic illustrations as well as succinct descriptions of the procedures. This volume should also be a valuable source of information for readers who wish to gain a sound understanding of the research methodologies in this rapidly evolving field.

This Ebook aims to review basic understandings and give current opinions about several important aspects of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored (GPI) protein biology from leading experts in this exciting and emerging field. The scope ranges from micro-domain localization and signaling to proteomics aspects, biophysical behavior through trans-cellular mobility to chemical synthesis of GPI mimics and finally modification of multi-scaled membrane surfaces and potential medical and biotech uses. The applied slant makes it very useful to the current state of knowledge. It is hoped that it will prove to be of considerable interest to students and researchers in this field.

Today’s academic environment presents assessment challenges defined by an increased volume of available information coupled with increased competition among students and time constraints. Multiple choice questions (MCQs) provide examiners with an opportunity to assess academic performance on the basis of instant recollection of correct answers in a minimal amount of time. MCQs Series for Life Sciences Volume 1 is a collection of MCQs on advanced topics and offers the following benefits for readers:  Includes over 2600 relevant MCQs  Covers five advanced subjects including biochemistry, cell biology, developmental biology, genetics & molecular biology and immunology.  Simplified language and presentation of concepts  Answers to each question are provided This MCQs eBook series in life sciences is, therefore, a handy reference for graduate and postgraduate students undertaking examinations or entrance tests as well as teachers or examiners involved in setting and controlling assessments in specific subjects in life sciences.

Today's academic environment presents assessment challenges defined by an increased volume of available information coupled with increased competition among students and time constraints. Multiple choice questions (MCQs) provide examiners with an opportunity to assess academic performance on the basis of instant recollection of correct answers in a minimal amount of time. MCQs Series for Life Sciences Volume 2 is a collection of MCQs on advanced topics and offers the following benefits for readers: o Includes over 950 relevant MCQs o Covers two major topics: cell culture and microbiology. o Simplified language and presentation of concepts o Answers to each question are provided This MCQ book series in life sciences is a handy reference for graduate and postgraduate students undertaking examinations or entrance tests as well as teachers or examiners involved in setting and controlling assessments in specific subjects in life sciences.

This eBook presents a summary of central aspects of sialobiology (i.e., the study of sialic acid and its relevance to biology). The importance of substitution by the sugar sialic acid and the role played by sialylated structures (eg. glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycoconjugates) in immune recognition, neural cell growth, embryogenesis and disease development including microbial pathogenesis and cancer progression, has become well-established. Since 1995, the field of sialobiology has expanded greatly as many of the key enzymes involved in sialic acid biosynthesis, as well as the vast majority of sialic acid binding lectins involved in immune recognition, have only been cloned, characterised and structural eluciated after the publication of earlier works on the subject. This e-book also covers these recent developments. Chapters in this e-book have been contributed by eminent sialobiologists. Therefore, a book of this nature is timely and will prove to be a definitive volume with a high impact in this field for glycobiologists and cell biologists.

The interactions between carbohydrates and proteins have been extensively explored in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes over several decades. The recent emergence of glycomics has strengthened this interest and notably contributed to spectacular progress in understanding how carbohydrates mediate and regulate complex biological events. Synthesis and Biological Applications of Glycoconjugates gives a summary of contemporary findings in glycoconjugate research. Readers will be updated on major achievements in chemical methods and biological applications employed in modern glycomics. The Ebook should be of interest to a broad community of students and professional researchers in both academia and industry.

Poisons, due to their lethal nature, invoke a sense of fear in humans. Yet, they have also impacted other aspects of human life. Poisons have been used by nomadic hunters to kill their prey, by scientists to explore complex biochemical mechanisms of the body, by physicians to lower cholesterol and to kill cancer cells, by farmers and the general public to destroy pests, by the evil minded for homicide, and by tyrants as weapons of war. The Art and Science of Poisons presents two facets of poisons: the science behind them and their place in history and art. The science of poisons describes their biochemistry and how they kill. The science story voyages into the sub-microscopic world of atoms, molecules, and cells. Only there can we see the true miracles and mysteries of life and death. Chapters in the book explore poisons from snakes, spiders, scorpions, sea creatures, as well as poisons made by humans in the laboratory, and those which are derived from beautiful plants. The art of poisons, on the other hand, encompasses everything else about these agents that conjures up the image of the skull and crossbones. This side of the story explores the legends and tales of intrigue and surreptitious deaths of well-known personalities such as Socrates, Cleopatra, Hitler, and many more. General readers with a curiosity about science and an interest in history and human nature will enjoy both facets presented in this brief, yet varied exploration into the world of poisons.

This monograph focuses on the actions exerted by sex hormones, 17β-estradiol and testosterone, in skeletal muscle tissue. An important consideration of this volume is the fact that both estrogen receptors (ERs) and androgen receptors (ARs) are ubiquitously expressed and, as a result, steroid hormones affect growth and different cell functions in several organs. Moreover, ERs and ARs may have a non-classical pattern of intracellular localizations, raising complexity to the functional roles of estradiol and testosterone.

Readers will find key information about the role of sex hormones in mitochondrial physiology and their relation with ageing, apoptosis, and sarcopenia. Chapters integrate important points with the latest information on the subject, including work of leading researchers studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the age-linked changes in muscle tissue while highlighting the role of satellite cells.

Furthermore, the book presents a chapter about phytoestrogens (compounds which are structurally very similar to estrogen 17β-estradiol) and their selective action on sex steroid receptors (specifically, they have a higher affinity for ERβ receptors than ERα receptors).

The book is recommended reading for scientists and clinicians involved in the field of medical and health sciences as well as for scholarly readers (students of biochemistry and medicine) who are interested in the molecular mechanism of cellular apoptosis regulated by steroid hormones.